Juniors is just the first step for Nemisz

Over the past six months, Greg Nemisz has signed a NHL contract with the Flames, skated to a OHL title and won a Memorial Cup championship with the Windsor Spitfires.

Thrilling stuff, indeed.

However, he'll admit playing for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships is at another level.

"It's right at the top. I've been watching this tournament since I was three or four years old, and to get a chance to play in it is amazing," Nemisz said after the morning skate in anticipation of last night's exhibition game against Finland at the Saddledome.

"It's hard to explain what it feels like in words. You're so excited and so happy. I called my mom (after making the team) and she was in tears because she was so happy."

As if the forward chosen by the Flames in the first round of the 2008 draft, 25th overall, didn't already have enough excitement inside him for last night's exhibition game, the location kicked it up a notch.

Playing a NHL game in the Saddledome is still on his to-do list, but Nemisz was looking forward to the experience at this level.

Even practice was under the watchful eyes of Flames GM Darryl Sutter.

"The guys were joking with me about that a little bit," he said. "It's exciting. Any rink we go to playing for Canada in Canada, it's going to be crazy."

The way the lines have shaped up heading into the tournament which begins Boxing Day, it appears Nemisz will skate with fellow Spitfires Taylor Hall and Adam Henrique.

They don't usually play together for the OHL-leading Spitfires, since Nemisz often centres the team's second line, however, they were an outstanding trio in the club's march to the OHL and Memorial Cup crowns last spring.

"Every time we play together in Windsor, we seem to have chemistry. When we're down late in a game, we seem to go to that line for the third period," said Nemisz, who's collected 24 goals and 48 points in 34 OHL games this season. "It's a fun and easy line to play on.

"It skips the feeling-out process and puts you right into a comfort zone. That's nice."

Nemisz isn't the only player Flames fans can keep a close eye on during the tournament to be held in both Saskatoon and Regina.

Tim Erixon, the club's first-round pick in this year's draft, is on Sweden's team, but while Finland goalie Joni Ortio was between the pipes for his country in last night's exhibition clash and likely the No.-1 netminder for the tournament.

"We haven't talked that much, but as far as I understand the situation I'm going to be the starting goalie, but we'll have to see," Ortio said. "The goalie that plays the best, will play the game, so you can't be too sure."

This game is the second trip to Calgary for Ortio, chosen in the sixth round, 171st overall. He was part of last summer's prospects camp, and enjoyed the familiarity of catching up with friendly faces.

He talked briefly with goalie coach Jamie McLennan and was scheduled to meet up with Flames netminder Miikka Kiprusoff, whom he's known for a few years.

However, this is a business trip for the netminder who's played mainly for Tuto in Finland's second highest league this year.

"It's been a good season. I'm playing a lot of games and feeling pretty confident right now," Ortio said.

In 14 games for Tuto, Ortio has a 8-6-0 record with a 2.66 goals-against average and .924 save percentage.

Not bad for an 18-year-old goalie in his first year playing against men.

"The game in the men's league is more obvious and more structured, so it's much easier to read the play and position yourself to the shots coming," he said.